Nowruz 2025: What to know about the Persian New Year and the first day of spring
Today is Nowruz. It marks the coming of the new year in some cultures. But what is Nowruz, and why do people celebrate it?
Thursday, March 20, 2025, marks the Persian New Year, or Nowruz, a holiday that's been celebrated for several millenniums, according to the University of Massachusettes.
Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian, is a 3,000-year-old spring festival that is celebrated by millions around the world, according to media outlet Time.
People who observe the holiday do so to welcome the start of spring. The celebration lasts for about two weeks and typically includes food, dancing, singing and poetry.
Over 300 million people around the world celebrate this joyous holiday, so here are some things you should know about the day.
When is Nowruz?
In 2025, Nowruz falls on Thursday, March 20th at 5:01 a.m. ET, according to the University of Massachusetts.
When is the first day of spring 2025? What to know about the vernal equinox
The Persian New Year rings in spring
According to Time, Nowruz is celebrated on the vernal equinox, or the spring equinox. It is the first day of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
How is Nowruz celebrated?
The holiday is celebrated with many customs and traditions, according to the United Nations.
A major part of the celebration is the Haft SSin Table, which is most popular in Iran.
Seven items are "artfully arranged" on the table, according to the UN, including the following:
Sprouted grains (Sabzeh)- To symbolize rebirth
Sweet pudding (Samanu)- Symbolizes fertility and affluence
Dried fruit (Senjed)- Represents love
Garlic (Seer)- Represents medicine and health
Apple (Seeb)- For Beauty and good health
Sumac berries (Somāq)- Represents the triumph of good over evil
Vinegar (Serkeh)- Represents age and wisdom
Another tradition included in the celebration of Nowruz is spring cleaning, also known as "shaking the dust" of the past, according to the UN. Homes are cleaned out, and people purchase new clothing, as a symbolic act that represents a "fresh start and the cleansing of both physical and spiritual space."
Fire rituals are also done in many regions that celebrate the holiday. In Iran, people jump over bonfires to purify and energize, and get rid of any lingering remnants of winter in a tradition known as Chaharshanbe Suri. Jumping over the bonfire also invites "the warmth and vitality of spring into one’s life."
The holiday is also celebrated with street festivals worldwide and poetry and music.
And who can mention traditions without bringing up food?
Food is central to the Nowruz celebration, according to the UN.
Dishes are prepared with friends and family to foster "a sense of togetherness," the UN stated.
For example, Sumalak, a sweet wheat pudding, is a traditional Nowruz dish in Central Asia.
The pudding takes hours to slowly cook, representing the "slow but sure arrival of spring and new beginnings," according to the UN.
Who celebrates Nowruz?
Traditionally, Nowruz is celebrated by people from the Middle East and parts of Asia, according to NPR.
According to UNESCO, people from ethnicities that share common Silk Roads heritage, celebrate the holiday. That includes the following:
Afghanistan
Azerbaijan
India
Iran
Iraq
Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan
Pakistan
Tajikistan
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
According to the organization, celebrations may look a little different in each country, but they have a lot in common.
"In most regions, before the festival people perform ritual dances such as leaping over fire and streams," states its website. "Many households also replenish their water supplies on the last Wednesday of the year."
This story has been updated with new information.
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nowruz 2025: Persian New Year rings in first day of spring
